Effects of Mouthguards on Force Cole Turgeon Mr. Spangler Whitefish High School Advanced Chemistry

INTRODUCTION Research Question: Will the use of a mouthguard have an effect on the force applied? Hypothesis: The use of a mouthguard will significantly lessen the force recorded from the initial force used.

BACKGROUND Concussions are a huge part in sports today -Many lawsuits from former NFL players Mouthguards are thought to help prevent concussions -No proven fact that they do

PROCEDURE Ind. Variable: Mouthguard used -Changed between three different mouthguard types (Custom, Top, Bottom) Dep. Variable: Amount of force -Dropped a baseball from a set height for every test

PROCEDURE Vernier accelerometer measured force -Sensor that records directional force in m/s 2 Data displayed on computer where sensor was attached -Data values had a range of 30 m/s 2

Data Collection

DATA (avg from 30 tests) Base Test m/s 2 Upper Jaw m/s 2 Lower Jaw m/s 2 Custom m/s 2

CONCLUSION Mouthguards have a positive effect on force Results were as expected -Mouthguard with the highest thickness of material had the lowest force recorded and test with no mouthguard was significantly higher than any other test

IMPROVEMENTS Improved sensor -Sensor had a range of 30 m/s 2 More accurate jaw alignment -Jaw movement was straight up and down which negated the proposed benefits of lower and custom mouthguard

Abstract Testing the dampening effects of different mouthguards on an applied forces and the correlation to concussions. Data is used to find which type of mouthguard is most effective in lessening forces and the benefits provided as it relates to concussions.

REFERENCES McCrory, Paul. "Do Mouthguards Prevent Concussion?" -- McCrory 35 (2): 81. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan "Custom-made Mouthguards Reduce Athletes' Risk of Concussion, Study Shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 May Web. 08 Jan Johnston, K. M. "Sports Dentistry Online - Concussion Prevention and Athletic Mouthguards." Sports Dentistry Online - Concussion Prevention and Athletic Mouthguards. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan "FITGuard Mouth Guard to Detect Head Impacts That Lead to Concussions." FITGuard Mouth Guard to Detect Head Impacts That Lead to Concussions. Sports Medicine, 2 May Web. 09 Jan Stone, Paul. "Custom-Made Mouthguards May Help Prevent Sports-Related Brain Injuries." Traumatic Brain Injury. N.p., 1 May Web. 09 Jan